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Fashion Forward Adelaide Designer Moving From Lacy Lingerie To Lacy Masks

Bizarre released their first batch of lace masks in late march, followed by the mesh masks, which were released a few days later. Her masks can be purchased via Bizarre’s Instagram account.

Author: Rebecca Gaitaneris

Thankfully, for those of us less skilled in the art of sewing and design, a local designer is lending a helping hand by putting her stylish and innovative skills to good use.

To help address the shortage of face masks supplies affecting Australia and the rest of the world amid COVID-19 pandemic, 21-year-old Adelaide-based lingerie designer and owner of independent label, Bizarre, Jana Fuss has traded in her racy lingerie in favour of lace masks — a new craze in the time of coronavirus.

“I felt it to be the right thing to produce face masks with my time, resources and skills,” Ms Fuss says.

“I wanted to create a fun twist on the standard medical mask that people could enjoy during this unpleasant time.

“I’m constantly trying new things and always have many new ideas on the go. I feel like there’s always so many things to try and face masks was just my next business venture.”

Ms Fuss has completed a bachelor’s degree, majoring in fashion. Her love for fashion and design has only continued to flourish since graduating in 2018.

Using Instagram as her main platform for business, she finds it to be the best way to reach her desired audience, as she is able to engage on a more personal level.

Not long after completing her bachelor’s degree, Ms Fuss’ desire to start designing handmade lingerie was all she could think about.

“It all started when I struggled with finding the right lingerie for myself, particularly high waisted lingerie,” she says.

With an eye for design and a desire for creating new and exciting garments, Ms Fuss is taking traditional fashion design to the next level.

While Ms Fuss usually creates lingerie for her independent label Bizarre, in recent times she took matters into her own hands to initiate the production of her lace masks for frontline workers, putting her high-waisted vintage underwear on hold for now.

Coronavirus COVID-19 has brought an unprecedented amount of stress and uncertainty to millions around the world. But for essential healthcare workers who are at the forefront of the pandemic, their stress is on a whole other level.

 “I am only doing my part during a time like this by helping people to feel safe when they need to go out,” Ms Fuss says.

“Creating a product that will help frontline workers like my mum— a registered nurse is very important to me— it’s the least I can do.”

Bizarre released their first batch of lace masks in late march, followed by the mesh masks, which were released a few days later. Her masks can be purchased via Bizarre’s Instagram account.

“The beige and red masks are both double-layered with stretch lace on the outside and 100% cotton jersey on the inside, — this fabric is breathable and soft on the skin,” Ms Fuss says.

“After doing some research I discovered 100% cotton is the recommended composition in fabric when crafting handmade masks.

“I chose these fabrics as they are the same I used for some of my lingerie designs. The concept was to create matching masks to my lingerie.”

Ms Fuss says all her masks must be washed after each use for it to be fully effective.

“Washing the masks will remove any bacteria, and they’re more sustainable — you won’t need to keep buying new masks,” she says.

Ms Fuss says she has been very happy with the response she has received from her customers.

“Many of my customers, including my mum have been extremely supportive and are enjoying their unique masks,” she says.

It will only be a matter of time before face masks, which many Australians are wearing these days to protect themselves from coronavirus, will make a formal debut into the fashion industry.

“It’s hard to imagine a world without face masks and it seems likely they will be sticking around long after coronavirus fades away,” Ms Fuss says.

“I hope people won’t be needing to purchase many more masks in the future! But for now, I’m very happy to be able to offer this product”.

Ms Fuss has more exciting products on her soon-to-be launched website — so in the meantime keep an eye out for Bizarre’s Instagram.

This article was written by a student from UniSA Creative’s ‘Content Creation for Media’ course. Glam Adelaide is pleased to support emerging writers.

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